Carl Grivner, CEO of FLAG, explains how securing a fibre pair on the ECHO subsea cable strengthens low-latency, high-capacity connectivity between Asia, the U.S. and the Middle East, enabling resilient, future-ready networks for AI, cloud and global digital growth.
FLAG has strengthened its global subsea footprint with the acquisition of a fibre pair on the ECHO subsea cable, creating a new, high-performance digital corridor connecting South Asia to the United States. Designed to address surging demand across one of the world’s most data-intensive trans-Pacific routes, the system delivers low-latency, high-capacity and resilient connectivity, with an estimated latency of just 165 milliseconds between Singapore and the US. Targeted to be ready for service in mid-2026, ECHO will link key landing points in Eureka, California; Piti, Guam; and Singapore, reinforcing FLAG’s position as one of the largest privately owned global subsea cable operators.
In an exclusive email interview with Tahawultech.com, Carl Grivner, CEO of FLAG, spoke about how the ECHO investment advances the company’s long-term vision of building a fully owned global fibre ring. Grivner explains how interconnecting ECHO with FLAG’s India Asia Express investment will create a direct, future-ready pathway between India, Southeast Asia and the US—enhancing performance, resilience and route diversity for hyperscalers, carriers and enterprises, while supporting the accelerating needs of AI, cloud and data-driven industries across the Middle East, Asia and beyond.
Interview Excerpts:
What advantage does acquiring a fibre pair on the ECHO subsea cable give FLAG compared to other global operators?
ECHO positions Fibre Links Around the Globe (FLAG) as a neutral global carrier and one of the largest privately owned submarine cable operators. ECHO is one of only two new cables linking Singapore and Southeast Asia to the U.S., and this gives FLAG a rare advantage in a market facing severe supply constraints. It strengthens our ability to deliver connectivity and paves the way for accelerated global growth.
How does this investment align with FLAG’s long-term vision of creating ‘a fully owned global fibre ring,’ and what does that mean for customers?
ECHO completes the trans-Pacific segment of FLAG’s on-net global fibre ring, connecting Asia to the U.S. West Coast and beyond. This direct route from Singapore to the U.S reduces latency, boosts capacity, and ensures traffic remains on FLAG-owned infrastructure – delivering secure, predictable performance. For customers, it means future-ready connectivity and a truly global network backed by continued investment in diversity and reliability.
What new opportunities does this unlock for businesses in South Asia and beyond?
ECHO provides faster, more direct access to U.S. and global digital markets, offering a strategic alternative to congested or geopolitically sensitive routes. Combined with our new India-to-Singapore investment, it enables seamless East-to-West connectivity, giving customers in Southeast Asia robust diversity and reliability from the Middle East and Asia to the U.S. across the Pacific.
What role does this acquisition play in meeting the growing demand for low-latency, high-capacity connectivity across trans-Pacific routes?
ECHO addresses critical supply shortages in one of the world’s most bandwidth-intensive corridors. With minimal price erosion and low churn, it delivers scalable capacity and ultra-low latency for cloud, AI, and content platforms. As one of only two new Singapore-to-U.S. cables, ECHO offers FLAG a unique position to serve surging demand while laying the groundwork for future investments across Asia, the Middle East, and potentially additional trans-Pacific routes.
How does the ECHO fibre pair strengthen FLAG connectivity and resilience across key Middle Eastern hubs?
ECHO integrates seamlessly with FLAG’s long-haul network, linking the U.S West Coast to Asia, India, and the Middle East, and extending to Europe and the U.S East Coast. It provides flexible rerouting during outages, strengthens reliability through East-West diversity, and ensures uninterrupted service for carriers and hyperscalers.
“Together with our India-to-Singapore investment, linking to our FALCON and HAWK systems, FLAG delivers a truly global proposition and complements future terrestrial expansions across the Middle East.”
What advantages will enterprises and carriers in the GCC gain in terms of latency and cross-continental traffic flow?
ECHO provides an alternative Pacific route to the U.S., improving stability and performance for AI, cloud, and content delivery platforms. It empowers carriers to optimise traffic flows east or west, ensuring predictable quality and cost efficiency for cross-continental services. This strengthens resilience planning and supports robust connectivity for enterprises across the GCC.
How does this investment support regional digital ambitions in AI, cloud, and data-driven industries?
ECHO delivers scalable, low-latency access to major U.S. and Asia cloud and AI hubs, enabling regional industries to accelerate digital transformation. It supports high-performance analytics, cloud workloads, and emerging AI applications, positioning the region as a competitive hub for data-driven innovation. This also opens new corridors for FLAG to expand resilient, diverse global connectivity.